Doomed Confessionary: Milan, Miloš & Nemanja (Cheap Moonshine)
Cheap Moonshine is a three-piece stoner/doom metal band from Novi Sad, Serbia. Founded in 2015, Cheap Moonshine released their self-titled debut album in September 2017, followed by their latest EP »In The Eye Of Abyss« in November 2025.
»In The Eye Of Abyss« was written, arranged, performed and co-produced by Cheap Moonshine. Recorded, mixed, mastered and produced by Dragan Alimpijević Pik in Studio Road. Album art by Øna. Their song »Lucifer« is also featured on Weedian’s »Trip To Serbia«, out in February 2025.
Cheap Moonshine are Milan “Peca” Radeta (vocals, bass), Miloš “Mitep” Tepić (guitar) and Nemanja “Krsta” Drljača (drums).
Can you please say a few words about your band?
We’re a stoner doom trio founded in 2015 in Novi Sad. If you’re a Sabbath worshipper who likes your riffs slow and heavy, you might like us.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Trying to keep the band going without our guitarist Miloš. Thankfully, he’s back, the agony’s passed and love’s all around.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Our chemistry, understanding and appreciation of each other. We’re close, supportive, open and aware. If that wasn’t the case, we wouldn’t have lasted this long and the music wouldn’t be as good.
What was your biggest regret?
Honestly, I don’t think there is anything we regret. We never went into something we didn’t actually want. Even some of the relatively bad experiences were in the context of greater better ones and still provided us with some teaching moments. The closest thing to it might be that we don’t record or play as much as we’d like, but then again, we’re doing as much as we can, in accordance with other stuff in our lives.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Novi Sad gigs are always dear to heart. Seeing both familiar and new faces in the crowd vibing the same way always fills us with joy. Even more so when it’s in CK13, the club we usually play at, who have supported us and alternative scene in general from the start. Top it off with the crowd singing Lucifer with us and we can’t stop smiling for a week.
Our last gig like that was with our dear friends My Pitbull Lucifer from Pula, Croatia. Having a chance to play together again, seeing the full house happy to see and hear us, reacting positively to new material, it really made it special.
A very close second is Lazarus Fest in 2024. We go way back, when we played at their first ever event back in 2017. Seeing how much we both progressed after that long was really rewarding. We made a lot of new friends there with the bands we played with, heard a lot of good music. It was fulfilling for us, both as performers and as listeners.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
How supportive it is. You just have to ask and be ready to do some of the things yourself. Any gig can be scheduled, any equipment can be rented, any call can be made. We learned a lot of that by spending our time in Brutal Studio, where we rehearse. In time, we made friends with a lot of bands there, creating a few side projects on the way. It’s particularly communal when we get invited to participate somewhere and we propose other bands when we’re not available or need more participants.
Another surprising thing is how it changes with time, fluently and subtly. Back when we started, there was an impression that stoner bands were popping up everywhere. Then they disappeared or quieted down. Now, a new psychedelic wave seems to be starting. We notice it in other genres as well, there’s almost always a genre of the year.
In terms of bands of this new wave, some of the ones we noticed and are friends with are Sekvoya, Black Dot, Plant No More and Skylos.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Black Sabbath, Electric Wizard and Sleep always. Relatively recent additions are Dope Smoker, Deathchant and Mars Red Sky. Often returns to Windhand, Youngblood Supercult, Weedeater and Orchid. Every now and then a pinch of chaos with Swans, Oranssi Pazuzu and Tool.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
“Keep doing what you’re doing.”
“Technicality doesn’t matter if you’re not vibing.”
Plus some awesome recommendations on pedals and gear.
What are your guilty pleasures?
At this point, we’re not feeling guilty anymore! Taylor Swift, Mimi Mercedez, Sinan Sakić, Južni Vetar, 90s Dance.
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Novi Sad / Serbia?
As previously mentioned, a new psychedelic wave is coming. Several instrumental bands are popping up as well.
The more bands you get to know, the more you notice the same people in them. We often joke that the same 3 people make the whole scene. But we don’t mind, we’re in other bands as well, like The Sonic Curves, Vremen and Lust 4 Thrust. It’s fun to see and hear each other in different contexts, genres and setups. And we all get something different from each of them.
I’d say the main issue is the number and availability of alternative venues. In Novi Sad, CK13 and KC Lab still stand, but we did lose Dom B-612 and Soul Peddler long before that. K9 Station is getting more traction. SKC NS Fabrika is also great, but it’s usually reserved for bigger events. In Belgrade, we’re glad to see Zappa venues bringing various artists, Sprat and Kvaka 22 supporting the underground scene. Although, we’re yet to play in Belgrade.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Nothing planned yet. We’re yet to have gigs promoting our new EP, »In The Eye Of Abyss«. We know it’s been 3 months and more, but these things take time prepping, and we were taking some time off, working, on holiday, take your pick. We’ll organize at least one event in Novi Sad.
Either way, we’re always open for offers. Most of our gigs we’re actually invited to participate. So if you want to see us, play with us and/or host us, just send us a message on our social media. After that, we’re crossing fingers there’s no scheduling conflict.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
The last recording really hyped us up! It was a wonderful process coordinated by Dragan Alimpijević Pik. Working with him was refreshing and rewarding. We’d love to work with him again!
It got our creative juices flowing and we have a couple of old and new ideas for new material. So it’s possible to have another EP on the way as early as this year! But a few jam sessions and rehearsals first, and at least 1 gig before planning the new recording.
How can people best support your band?
If you like what we play, listen to us on streaming platforms, come to our shows and share our music with your fellow music listeners!
If you’re feeling charitable, you can always donate when downloading our releases on our Bandcamp page.
If you want us to play live, contact us, we’ll schedule something. If we get paid along the way, that’s a plus, but it’s not mandatory. We’re not in it for the money, but it’s still very much appreciated.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Thank you for listening to our music! We hope you do it of your own free will and that you actually enjoy it! Feel free to reach out, whether online or in person. We’re always happy to talk and make new friends. We hope to see you on our shows!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well